Florida sheriffs want to be heard on medical marijuana

Now that Amendment 2 passed and expanded medical marijuana will be allowed in the state, it’s unclear how law enforcement will handle it.

The Florida Sheriff’s Association did not back the measure and even opposed the 2014 attempt.

Recent studies indicate that medical marijuana sales in Florida could top the one billion dollar mark in the next three years.

“We didn’t think it was appropriate for that to be in the state’s constitution,” said Jerry Demings, president of the Florida Sheriff’s Association.

Now that Amendment 2 has passed, law enforcement still has their concerns and hope the legislature hears them.

“We want to make certain that as the rules are put in place that the packaging of the different products,” Demings said. “So that if it falls in the hands of unsuspecting individuals, children, that it doesn't look like it's something that it's not.”

And supporters agree that law enforcement should have a seat at the table while Amendment 2 is implemented. Medical Marijuana Business Association founders Jeff Sharkey and Taylor Biehl believe the sheriff’s voice will be heard.

“Public safety, educators need to have involvement. Substance abuse and training folks need to be involved,” Sharkey said. “And I think that conversations have been going on and I think it will continue.”

And lawmakers aren’t waiting around. A Florida Senate committee will hold their first workshop on Amendment 2 implementation next week.

Now that we're getting into the second half of August, it's the the time of year when we really start to monitor the far eastern Atlantic for budding tropical waves that could potentially develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.